Why This Is the Deadliest Venom in the World

Credits:
Narrator/Producer: Stephanie Sammann
Writer: Barney Martin

Imagery courtesy of Getty Images

References:

[GiberishInGreatScale]

Obligatory shoutout to Kevin Budden, the man who in July of 1950 captured a live taipan to allow the development of a taipan antivenom.
As an amature herpatologist he travelled to Queensland to find the snake.
On July 27th he managed to find one in a scrapyard but during the capture was alone and ended up holding the snake with no way to bag it.
Walked to a road while still holding the snake to be given a lift by a passing truck driver.
Convinced the truck driver to take him to another snake enthusiast to help bag and confirm the identity of the snake (While still holding it).
Was sadly bitten on the thumb while bagging it.
Made the truck driver promise to organise transport back south to researchers before he would go get medical treatment.
Died July 28th after being given tiger snake venom which helped with the blood coagulating but did not help with the nerve damage caused by the nuerotoxins.

[HULLGRAFFITI]

When you live somewhere so vast where a regular meal is a rare thing you can't afford an animal you bite running off before it drops and something else snatching it up.You need to be able to stop your prey as fast and efficiently as possible..No coincidence that Australia has the most types of the most venomous critters

[stellarwind]

The Inland Taipan isn’t just the most venomous snake, it’s the most venomous animal on earth. Fortunately they’re extremely docile creatures that live far away from populated areas.

[therestingrancor]

Hi from Australia 👋. I'd like to know why, how did this country end up with such a high number of venomous animals? Snakes, spiders and ocean creatures.

[JakeWitmer]

During Australia's many droughts, the snakes that used their venom up on prey that then got a significant distance away before dying...died. This left the snakes whose venom was potent enough to produce an instant kill, to breed together. Perhaps a snake with coagulant venom genes bred with one that had beta neurotoxin (paradoxin) genes, and the result then meant that virtually all those snakes survived to breed, whereas none of the ones that lacked that gene combination made it through the next drought. This shows the concept of "selection pressure" very nicely. Selection pressure turns up in all kinds of places in our world...not just ecosystems.

[mattm]

Not sure I've ever seen such a thorough explanation of how venom works. Well done! What's interesting is so many venomous snakes would make excellent captive pets...if not for the fact that 1 mistake could cost you anywhere between an ER visit and your life.

[goatyqt]

I just wanna say thank you. Thank you for making educational videos of this quality for *free*. Thank you for sharing a passion with everyone. Thank you for making this platform better even if it is by a slight amount.

[Sikeosomanic]

Fascinating and brilliant presentation as always! One thing I really appreciate about your videos, is that you take topics to the next level which lends itself to curiosity and asking ‘why?’, really promoting the science, research, and a desire for understanding. There are countless other videos about the most toxic snakes, and you can easily learn that the inland taipan tops the list with just a quick search. But your video addresses why it is so? What is it about the venom? How did the venom evolve or converge in relation to the region? What actually happens to the body as each component of the venom takes effect? I love how intellectual and interesting your topics always are; truly next level!

[animebrat]

Moral of the story: don’t go to Australia

[apraew]

"Inland taipan can kill 100 humans with a single bite"

Cat & mongoose: "that makes me hungry."

[randyjax]

The remarkable thing about inland taipans is how docile they are. I know two snake keepers who absolutely love handling them because of their laid-back nature. Being the most venomous snake doesn’t necessarily mean the most dangerous.

[nicholasadams]

This is terrifying!! I was completely enthralled. I love when animations are included in these videos. It really helps to explain how it all works. The Inland Taipan's venom is a cheat code!!!

[rodrigorosatoalves]

This reminds me of tutorials for case discussion in med school.
Very very advanced level yet concise and leaner-oriented.
Great job!

[garyvahl]

Australia's equivalent to The Black Mamba. I came face to face with a Black Mamba on a bush walk. It was about 3.5 to 4m long. Needed a change of underwear afterwards

[jeffjones]

It's considered prudent in Australia when walking through long grass to stomp your feet as you go. The vibrations scare away most snakes and makes you less likely to accidentally step on one. The exception, I've heard, are taipans. They'll come investigate. I don't know if it's true or not.

[waniw.]

I discovered this channel in Germany through the "mission Erde" channel. Your films are so good, informative and really interesting. Also very understandable with the German subtitles. Thank you for your work and please keep it up. Love goes out to everyone in this community

[embreis]

8:06 Inland Taipan: my venom is already manifested overkill itself. but just to make sure, I will bite my prey several times more. it's like swatting flies with a sledgehammer

[hillbillychrist]

I remember Steve Irwin coming face to face with one of these. Brutally daring yet showing the overall nature of the creature. Much respect for anyone that dares to handle this creature for science and the creation of antivenin.

[ray.shoesmith]

The Inland Taipan is also known as the Fierce Snake, which is a bit of a misnomer because unlike other Australian venomous snakes who will attack when threatened, it's actually quite timid and will back off unless it's cornered. I still wouldn't go annoying one though.

[smeary]

Great video. I'm an Aussie and you summed up the Inland Taipan's awesomeness beautifully. Well done.